
Jessie Eisenburg plays James Brennan, a slightly dorky college graduate who is trying to save money for grad school by working a Summer at the local amusement park. He ends up meeting a colorful cast of characters including bit parts by Ryan Reynold, Bill Hader and Kristen Wigg. Kristen Stewart from Twilight fame plays the main love interest. This is the first time I'd seen Stewart since she was Jodie Foster's daughter in Panic Room and I must say she really seems to be beautiful, talented and a candidate for the next great actress of her generation. She does a really good job of portraying teen angst in the 80's. The rest of the cast is solid as well and completes the time warp effect.
The story and pacing are well done and the soundtrack totally supplements the overall plot. You've heard all these songs before but never quite in this manner. As awesome as Falco's Rock Me Amadeus is, it becomes a hilarious punch line throughout the film. Overall I would recommend this flick to just about anyone who experienced the decade.
Those who were born in the late 80's or 90's will not appreciate this as much. This is one of the best films of the year and a lighthearted break from the Star Treks, District Nines and Hurt Lockers of the Summer. I give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 JRs and fully expect bigger and better things out of Jessie Eisenberg who seems to have a much brighter career path than his doppelganger Michael Cera. He stars in the promising upcoming Zombieland (how many "land" movies can he be in?) with Woody Harrelson.
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